Expressing apparatus and method



A. W. FRENCH EXPRESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed March l1. l1957 Dec.l1, 1962 y' l M/ M9@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,067,672EXPRESSING APPARATUS AND MECH-l!) Alfred W. French, Piqua, Ohio,assignor to The French Gil Mill Machinery Company, Piqua, Ghia, acorporation of @hie Filed Mar. 1l., 1957, Ser. No. 645,165 Claims. (Cl.Mtl-75) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatingliquid containing material and more particularly to an improved methodfor removing liquid from liquid containing materials such as brousvegetable materials like wood chips, sugar cane and the like and tonovel apparatus for carrying out the improved method.

In utilizing a screw type expressing press having an expression cagewith drainage openings in the walls through which liquid flows as it isexpressed from material being forced through the cage by the compactingscrew the presence of excessive amounts of expressed liquid or moistureoften impairs the operating capacity and efficiency of the press. On theother hand the addition of suitable treating fluid to the material isadvantageous in acquiring a more thorough treatment of the material anda better expression of liquid therefrom.

Another problem sometimes encountered is the presence of excessivelateral forces against the expressing shaft caused by the feeding of rawmaterial into the press at a rate sufficient to keep it operatingproperly. This problem has particular significance where the shaft issupported only at the driving end and is somewhat dependent upon thematerial passing through the press to maintain its position in the cage.

It is therefore one of the principal objects of this invention toprovide a novel method for treatment of liquid bearing materials priorto entry into the main press of a screw type expression press and toprovide improved apparatus for carrying out the novel method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for introducing liquid containing materials into a screw typeexpressing press and maintaining low lateral yforces against the mainexpressing screw shaft.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

In the drawings- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of the improvedapparatus -for carrying out the present process;

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary View of the screen bar cage,shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a fluid infusion manifold used to supplytreating fluid to material between the two expressing cages; and Y FIG.4 is a top plan view of a ring-like split cone which defines arestricted orifice and of the clamping ring which retains the cone inassembled position.

Referring to FIG. 1 of `the drawings which illustrates a preferredembodiment of the apparatus for effecting the present process, acharging press P for feeding material into a main expression press Eincludes a generally coneshaped hopper 10, surrounded by a similarlyshaped cover '11, defines means for receiving a quantity of suitable rawmaterial which is to be treated. A drive motor 12 is positioned abovehopper it) and has its drive shaft connected `to a gear box 13 while theoutput shaft 15 of the gear box is in turn connected to the shaft 16 ofa screw conveyor 17 through a connecting spline sleeve 18. The upperportion of shaft 16 carries a continuous spiral feeding vane 20, thecenter portion of which has been broken away on the drawing asindicated, for moving material through hopper while that portion ofshaft i6 extend- "ice ing below the lower limit of the hopper carries aseries of interrupted feeding vane nights 2i which have spaces 22between the adjacent ends of successive flights.

A substantially vertically disposed expression cage 25 surrounds thelower portion of shaft 1d and the interrupted vane flights 2l andincludes a plurality of vertically disposed radially spaced screen bars26 (FIG. 2). Screen bars 26 are held in position by wedge bars Z7, thewedge bars being adjustably secured to cage 25 by nuts 28 which aremounted on the threaded end portions of the outwardly extending shanks29 of the wedge bars. Screen bars 26 are separated by suitable spacers30 to define fluid drainage openings between adjacent bars so thatexpressed juice can flow outwardly from the expression chamber 31 formedby the bars.

Extending through screen bars 26 to the chamber 31 Iare a number ofvertically spaced breaker bars 35 which `are adjustably secured to cage25, through holding strip 36, by means of threaded fasteners 37. Thethreaded fasteners 37 on the outer ends of the breaker bars providemeans for adjusting them radially into or out of the chamber 3l withinthe vertical spaces 22 between interrupted vane ights 2i to stop rotarymovement of material present in the chamber and cause it to move axiallydownwardly therethrough. For a more detailed description of theaforementioned type of expression cage and breaker bar arrangementreference is made to applicants copending application Serial No. 631,698filed on December 31, 1956, now abandoned.

Expression cage 25 is enclosed within an imperforate wall 40 whichreceives any liquid expressed from the material passing through the cageand directs the liquid downwardly to a collecting trough il adjacent thelower end of the cage structure where it can be withdrawn for collectionin a suitable receptacle.

A ring-like split cone d5 is positioned adjacent the inner end ofexpression cage 25 and has a tapered inner surface 46 which defines arestricting' orifice 47 of less diameter than the inner diameter of cage25. A clamping ring Sil, which has a hinge 5l on one side and fasteningmeans 52 on the other, surrounds split cone 45 to maintain the twohalves thereof in their assembled position. By using a split cone andclamping ring in this manner, i.e., as a unit separate from the cage 25,it is possible to easily and rapidly change the size of restrictingorifice 47 simply by substituting a split cone having the desired sizeorifice. This adjustability is desirable where various materials are runthrough the apparatus at different periods of time.

FlG. 3 of the drawings shows an infusion manifold 55 which has aplurality of radially disposed inwardly directed nozzle like openings 56(FIG. l) for directing treating fluid of the desired type into thematerial as it leaves the lower limit of restricting orifice 47. In someinstances it may be desirable to introduce a heated fluid such as steaminto the manifold while in other situations liquids such as water orcaustic solution may be more appropriate. Manifold 55 is provided with anumber of intake openings 57, these openings being fed from tfeedertubes 5S which are attached to a manifold bar 60.

Beneath restricting orifice 47 and infusion manifold 55 a verticallyextending wall d5 defines a further chamber 66, of greater diameter thanthe orifice, where material passing through the orifice is permitted toexpand as it drops into press inlet chamber 67. A suitable drive 70 isoperably connected to main shaft 71 and to shaft 72 which can drive feedscrew 73 at a higher rate of speed than that at which the main shaftnormally operates. Following feed screw 73 a plurality of thealternately arranged screw flights '75, 77, '79, 8l, 83 and 85 andpressure collars 76, 7S, t), 82 and 84 and a final discharge collar 36are enamore "s 9 all keyed or otherwise suitably attached to the shaft7l for rotation therewith.

A preliminary expression cage 9h begins at vertically extending wall oand surrounds a portion of feed screw 73 and screw fiight 75 to define apreliminary expression zone 91. The expression at this point isaccomplish-ed by rotating feed screw 73 at a higher rate of speed thanthe remainder of the screw flights and pressure collars carried by shaft7l so that the material is packed into the inlet of the main expressionchamber 95.

A plurality of screen bar sections 95, 97, 93 and 99 make up anexpression cage idd, the aforementioned alternately arranged screwflights and pressure collars being located inwardly thereof. The areasbetween the collars and the expression cage ldd define zones lill whereprimarily compacting and expression occur while the areas between theworm flights and the cage ldd define zones iltlZ where primarily amixing or reorienting of the material occurs. Expression cage lili?includes screen bars with drainage openings between them like those ofexpression cage 25 as well as breaker bars 165, which have a pluralityof longitudinally and radially extending lugs 105 terminating just shortof the outer surface of pressure collars 76, 78, Sti, 32 and Se to causelongitudinal movement of mateiral vover these collars with no more thanlimited rotary motion.

Generally the present process for treating and/ or rcmoving liquid fromliquid containing materials comprises feeding the material into hopperlli and moving it downwardly through the hopper through the action ofspiral feeding vane Zti. As the material leaves hopper l@ it entersexpression cage 25 where the interrupted vane flights 2,1 and thebreaker bars 35 cause the material to be compacted between the variesand the inner surface 45 of split cone 45 while feeding a portion of thematerial through restricting orifice 47. In advancing the cane throughrestricting orifice 47 a back pressure is built up in the materialwithin the cage thus causing an initial expression of liquid from thematerial outwardly through the drainage openings between screen bars 26.

Upon passing through restricting orifice d'7 the partially expressedmaterial drops through infusion mani- `fold 55 where the pressure isreleased and the material allowed to expand to substantially itsoriginal size. During this period of expansion suitable treating fluidcan be advantageously added to the material since it is normally muchmore absorbent during this period and the liquid content can be elevatedto near the natural inherent amount. From infusion manifold 55 thematerial passes through further chamber 66 and into the press inletchamber d'7 where feed screw 73 imnieoiu ately begins to pack it intothe expression chamber 95. Since the material in passing through furtherchamber 66 is not under direct pressure from the charging press P thereis no tendency for a large lateral force to be exerted against shaft 7l.

The first screw flight 7S takes the material from preliminary expressioncage 9) and moves it inwardly toward pressure collar 76 in a generallyhelical path which creates a mixing and reorienting action underpressure to achieve a rearrangement of the material aiding theexpression of liquid, therefrom through the walls of preliminaryexpression cage 90. Screw flight 77 operates in much the same manner asscrew flight '75 in that it takes compacted material from an expressingzone, viz., that Zone between collar 76 and cage itltl, and mixes thematerial while moving onward to collar 78. The worms and collarsfollowing worm 77 and collar 78 operate on the material in much the samemanner except that the increased body diameters cause a greater packingof the material at the outlet end of the press. Following passage overthe discharge collar 35 the material is ready for subsequent treatingoperations or storage,

.d depending upon the final result to be obtained. Additionally, theliquid expressed from the material at the various stages can becollected for appropriate handling also.

While the process and form of apparatus herein described constitutes apreferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that thisinvention is not limited to this precise process and form of apparatusand that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for expressing liquid from liquid-containing solidsmaterial comprising the combination of a main expressing press includinga press cylinder having a feed opening provided by means defining aninlet chamber of predetermined cross-sectional area at one end thereofand having a discharge opening at the opposite end, a feed screwextending within said cylinder and in cooperative relation with saidinlet chamber to accept material passed into said chamber and force thematerial into said cylinder, means for rotating said screw in adirection to move material from said inlet chamber into said cylinder,means defining a relaxation chamber of substantial height mounted onsaid inlet chamber providing for expansion and substantiallyunobstructed flow of solids material therethrough a charging pressconstruction mounted on said relaxation chamber means and spaced fromsaid inlet chamber and discharging di* rectly into said inlet chamber atan angular relation relative to said feed screw, said press including acage of constant inner diameter throughout a substantial portion of itslength and a cage outlet opening at one end thereof, means definingdrainage openings in the walls of said cage for passage therethrough ofliquid expressed from the material, an annular collar mounted betweensaid cage outlet opening and said relaxation chamber and in spacedrelation to said feed scr-ew defining a restricted orifice ofsubstantially less cross-sectional area than said cage and saidrelaxation chamber, and feeding means including a screw ight within saidcharging press cage for compressing the material received thereinagainst said collar to compact the material in said cage undermechanical pressure to express liquid therefrom and to pass the solidsmaterial after such initial expression through said orifice into saidrelaxation chamber for minimizing pressure against said feed screw bythe material passed thereto.

2. Apparatus for expressing liquid from liquid-containing solidsmaterial comprising the combination of a main expressing press includinga press cylinder having a feed opening provided by means defining achamber of predetermined cross-sectional area at one end thereof andhaving a discharge opening at the opposite end, a feed screw extendingwithin said cylinder and in cooperative relation with said chamber toaccept material passed into said chamber and force the material intosaid cylinder, means for rotating said screw in a direction to movematerial from said chamber into said cylinder, a charging pressconstruction mounted on said chamber and discharging directly therein atan angle to said feed screw including a cage of constant inner diameterthroughout a substantial portion of its length, means defining drainageopenings in the Walls of said cage for passage therethrough of liquidexpressed from the material, an annular collar mounted between said cageoutlet opening and said chamber and in spaced relation to said feedscrew defining a restricted orifice of substantially lesscross-sectional area than said cage and said chamber, feeding meansincluding a screw flight within said charging press cage for compressingthe material received therein against said collar to compact thematerial in said cage under mechanical pressure to express liquidtherefrom and to pass the solids material after such initial expressionthrough said orifice into said chamber for relaxation of the mechanicalpressure thereon to minimize pressure against said feed screw by thematerial passed thereto, an infusion manifold supported between saidcollar and said chamber including passages opening into said chamber forintroduction of treating fluid, and means for supplying treating fluidthrough said passages for absorption by material in the area of relaxedmechanical pressure within said chamber.

3. Apparatus for expressing liquid from liquid-containing solidsmaterial comprising the combination of a main expressing press includinga press cylinder having a feed opening pro-vided by means defining aninlet chamber of predetermined cross-sectional area at one end thereofand having a discharge opening at the opposite end thereof opening intosaid press cylinder from one side thereof, a feed screw extending withinsaid cylinder and across said opposite end of said inlet chamber toaccept material passed into said inlet chamber and to convey thematerial forcibly into said cylinder, means for rotating said screw in adirection to move material from said inlet chamber into said cylinder,means defining a relaxation chamber of substantial height opening intosaid inlet chamber providing for expansion and substantiallyunobstructed flow of solids material therethrough, a charging pressconstruction mounted on said relaxation chamber and discharging directlythereinto including a cylindrical cage of constant inner diameterthroughout a substantial portion of its length having a closedconnection at its lower end with said relaxation chamber, means definingdrainage openings in the walls of said cage for passage therethrough ofliquid expressed from the material, an annular collar mounted betweensaid cage and said relaxation chamber and in spaced relation to saidfeed screw defining a restricted orifice of substantially lesscross-sectional area than said cage and both said relaxation chamber andsaid inlet chamber, and feeding means including a screw flight withinsaid charging press cage for compressing the material received thereinagainst said collar for compacting the material under mechanicalpressure to effect expression of liquid therefrom and to pass the solidsmaterial after such initial expression through said orifice into saidrelaxation chamber for minimizing pressure exerted against said feedscrew transversely to the axis thereof by the material passed thereto.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising the combination of amain expressing press including a press cage of generally cylindricalconfiguration mounted with its longitudinal axis substantiallyhorizontal and having a vertically extending feed opening adjacent oneend thereof, a feed screw extending within said cylinder across saidopening and having means for rotation thereof to accept material passedinto said opening and force the material into said cylinder, arelaxation chamber mounted on said feed opening for passage of solidsmaterial thereinto, a charging press construction mounted above saidfeed opening and spaced therefrom by said relaxation chamber todischarge thereinto, said press construction including a cage having anoutlet opening discharging through said chamber into said feed openingof said main press and being of constant diameter throughout a maiorportion of its length, means defining drainage openings in the walls ofsaid cage for passage of expressed liquid therethrough, an annularcollar mounted between said outlet opening of said charging press cageand said relaxation chamber defining a restricted orifice of lessdiameter than said diameter of said cage and of less diameter than saidfeed opening, said relaxation chamber having a diameter greater thansaid collar, a shaft of substantially constant diameter extendingthrough said cage and having a plurality of screw feed flights mountedthereon in spaced relation to each other axially of said shaft, meansfor rotating said shaft in a direction to cause said flights to passmaterial toward said collar and said feed opening through saidrestricted orifice and said relaxation chamber, and breaker bar meansextending inwardly of the interior of said cage toward said shaft inlocations between said flights for resisting rotational movement ofmaterial in the areas between said flights and t'nus providing forlongitudinal movement of the material toward said restricted orificescompacting the material and feeding it through said orifice to expressliquid therefrom for passage through said drainage openings to effectinitial expression of the material in said charging press whileminimizing pressure on said feed screw transverse to the axis thereoffrom the material passed thereto.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising the combination of amain expressing press including a press cage of generally cylindricalconfiguration mounted with its longitudinal axis substantiallyhorizontal and having the vertically extending feed opening adjacent oneend thereof, a feed screw extending within said cylinder across saidopening and having means for rotation thereof to accept material passedinto said opening and force the material into said cylinder, a -chargingpress construction mounted above said feed opening and dischargingthereinto against said screw including a cage having an outlet openingdischarging into said feed opening of said main press and being ofsubstantially constant diameter throughout substantially a portion ofits length, means defining drainage openings in the walls of said cagefor passage of expressed liquid therethrough, an annular collar mountedbetween said outlet opening of said discharging press cage and saidopening of said main cylinder defining a restricted orifice of lessdiameter than said diameter of said cage and of less diameter than saidfeed opening, a shaft of substantially constant diameter extendingthrough said cage and having a plurality of screw feed flights mountedthereon Iin spaced relation to each other axially of said shaft, meansfor rotating said shaft in a direction to cause said flights to passmaterial toward said collar and said feed opening through saidrestricted orifice, breaker bar means extending inwardly of the interiorof said cage toward said shaft in locations between said flights forresisting rotational movement of material in the areas between saidflights and thus providing for longitudinal movement of the materialtoward said restricted orifices compacting the material and feeding itthrough said orifice to express liquid therefrom for passage throughsaid drainage openings to effect initial expression of the material insaid charging press while minimizing pressure on said feed screwtransverse to the axis thereof from the material passed thereto, aninfusion manifold supported between said restricted orifice and saidfeed opening to said main press cylinder including passages opening intosaid feed opening for introduction of treating fluid, and means forsupplying treating fluid through said passages for treatment of materialpassed through said orifices into an area of relaxed pressure withinsaid feed opening.

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